I may be the odd one out but I think Byakuya isn't Trigger Happy Havoc's antagonist.
Nagito Komaeda is clearly Goodbye Despair's protagonist. He actively sets himself up from the first case as deranged, and is seen as evil by everyone but himself in game. His actions, while understandable, are still irredeemable (trying to kill and coercing kills), and he remains that way throughout the whole game. His notable features are that he:
1. Sets himself up as a villain VIA manipulating someone to murder
2. Is consistently a bad guy
3. Ties into the games themes
4. Sets himself up as a victim in chapter five
Kokichi Ouma is clearly Killing Harmony's protagonist. He gets Miu, Gonta, and Kaito killed and executed. He antagonises everyone. He kidnaps. He manipulates. Everyone, again, views him as a villain, although it is his façade. While he is trying to end the killing games, and while his actions can be explained, they are still immoral despite intention. He is a liar throughout the whole game, provokes people throughout the whole game, and you could even argue he becomes worse as the game progresses. His notable features are that he:
1. Sets himself up as a villain VIA manipulating someone to murder
2. Is consistently a bad guy
3. Ties into the games themes
4. Sets himself up as a victim in chapter five
Byakuya Togami is commonly accepted as the Trigger Happy Havoc antagonist. However, the worst things he does- messing with Chihiro's body, framing Toko, playing a part in Sakura's death- are all far less extreme and can be redeemed. He does actively make an effort to redeem himself. He endeavours to be a better person throughout the whole thing. Framing a serial killer for a crime is a dick move, and so is fucking with a dead body, but Kyoko arguably did worse things to Hifumi and Chihiro's bodies, and she's seen as a good guy. Byakuya is rude, but he always works alongside Makoto. His key features are that he:
1. Only has a minor role in causing one death that he feels regret over
2. Goes through character development and redeems himself
3. Doesn't really have much to do with hope nor despair
4. Has no part in chapter five at all
Spot the difference final boss...
Byakuya seems to share more characteristics with Fuyuhiko and Maki- all three are characters who go through redemption arcs and end up as survivors and supports for their protagonist, as well as them all initially being incredibly rude, hostile, and isolating themselves until someone does something and they come out of their shell. I don't know exactly what to call this trio, since they're not antagonists. I'm sure there's a word for it.
So, who is Trigger Happy Havoc's antagonist? Let's cross people off.
1. Set up as a villain through manipulation into murder - crosses off most people other than Celeste, but she doesn't work very well, so we'll put this on hold.
2. Has consistent immorality - Celeste, Junko, Mukuro, and Mondo can all be applied.
3. Ties into the games themes/ hope vs despair - crosses off Mondo from the prior list
4. Chapter five victim - crosses off Celeste
Junko and Mukuro are the final two. Junko is eliminated because she's the mastermind.
Mukuro is introduced as a threat. She is set up to be a killer from the first time her name is uttered. She's an Ultimate Despair.
Her death affects the way the characters act. It changes the way they view breaking rules, because she serves as a reminder of what Monokuma is capable of. Her death is what helps set her up to help Junko. She's irredeemable but her actions are understandable. She's a soldier following orders. Every time her name is mentioned it's a warning. Mukuro Ikusaba is a bad person. She's a villain. She's an antagonist.
Mukuro Ikusaba should be the antagonist for Trigger Happy Havoc. I know exactly why she isn't.
We can't have our submissive femboy twink yaoi if Mukuro's the antagonist instead of Byakuya!! Who's gonna be the alpha male in the yaoi...?
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